Follow-Up After Hospitilization for Mental Illness Within 30 Days

Adequate and timely follow-up care for patients discharged from an inpatient mental health facility helps to provide transitional care to an outpatient setting. Follow-up can prevent readmission or identify patients who would benefit from readmission. HMOs were rated on the percentage of members who were hospitalized for treatment for selected mental health disorders (such as depression or bipolar disorder) and were seen on an ambulatory basis or who were in intermediate treatment with a mental health provider within 30 days of discharge.